NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The University of Notre Dame women’s soccer team opened their home fall slate Thursday night at Alumni Stadium against the Boston College Eagles. With the rains coming down during the early part of the game, the Irish (2-1, 2-1 ACC) scored two quick goals in the first half and clamped down defensively en route to a 2-0 victory over the Eagles (0-1, 0-1 ACC).
“I thought we were very sharp in the first half,” said head coach Nate Norman. “We got a couple of goals and created a lot of chances in the opening 45 minutes. In the second half, we weren’t as sharp as we needed to be in the crucial moments but still created a number of chances. Overall, very happy with the performance. Boston College is a very good team and I was happy we were able to come away with a win.”
Notre Dame got out in front with a goal from Sammi Fisher in the 14th minute to give them the early lead. Kiki Van Zanten followed with a goal in the 35th minute to double the lead prior to halftime. In the second half the Irish defense stood tall against a number of chances from the Eagles to preserve the shutout, their second in as many games.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Notre Dame started on the front foot immediately off the first touch Thursday night against the Eagles. The Irish ripped off the first 14 shots of the half and created a number of opportunities early on.
In the 14th minute, Eva Hurm fired a shot just inside the box that was blocked by an Eagle defender. The ball got back out to Fisher, who after a few touches to her right, fired a shot on goal. The shot got past the BC goalie to her right for the opening goal of the night. It was the second straight game Fisher had the opening goal of the match and her third goal of the season.
The Irish continued the offensive pressure and it led to their second goal of the night in the 35th minute.
Ellie Ospeck started the play by laying the ball off to Hurm on the right flank as she made her way to the corner. After a touch to get separation from her defender, Hurm lofted a cross into the far side of the box. Van Zanten made a wonderful run towards the far post and volleyed the cross under the bar for the second goal of the match. Van Zanten tallied a goal in the second straight game and has four goals on the year.
Notre Dame held a large margin of shots in the first half and finished the first 45 minutes with a 14-1 edge in shots. The lone Eagle shot of the first half came in the 42nd minute and Mattie Interian was there to make the save.
In the second half, Boston College settled in and started to gain an edge in the possession. Interian thwarted a number of Eagle chances early on to keep them off the scoreboard and keep the two-goal edge for the Irish.
She came up with a big save in the 50th minute after Jenna Bike received the ball in the middle of the box with a look on goal. She fired a low driven ball to Interian’s right but she scooped it up for her second save of the night.
Moments later in the 59th minute, Interian was there again to halt the Eagles. Bike had another good look from the left side of the box but Interian sprawled to her left to deflect the ball off the post and away from danger.
Notre Dame closed out the final 30 minutes to collect its second straight shutout of the season and improved to 2-1. The Irish also extended their home unbeaten streak to seven games dating back to last September (6-0-1).
NOTES OF THE MATCH
- Notre Dame picked up its second consecutive shutout of the season with the 2-0 win over Boston College. The Irish tallied 10 shutouts in the 2019 season.
- The Irish extended their home unbeaten streak to seven games dating back to Sept. 26 of last season (6-0-1).
UP NEXT
Notre Dame looks to extend its winning streak to three games with a Sunday matinee to close out the weekend against Syracuse. First touch between the Orange and Irish is slated for Noon ET at Alumni Stadium and will be streamed on the ACC Network Extra.
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